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Credit for Prior Learning

The Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) program at Indiana State University is dedicated to recognizing and valuing the learning gained from students' diverse experiences outside the classroom. Through the University’s commitment to excellence, we empower students, including those from professional and military backgrounds, to earn college-level academic credit toward their degree goals as they embrace lifelong learning.

Indiana State University offers a robust CPL program designed to recognize and reward the knowledge and skills students have acquired outside the traditional classroom. This initiative is particularly beneficial for non-traditional adult learners, allowing them to earn credit towards their degree based on their prior experiences and learning.

Key Features of the CPL Program

  1. Diverse Assessment Methods: Students can earn credit through various methods, including Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), industry-standard certifications, military training, departmental exams, and portfolio assessments.
  2. Significant Credit Opportunities: Eligible undergraduate students can earn up to 63 credit hours toward a baccalaureate degree and up to 25% of an undergraduate certificate. Eligible graduate students can earn up to 30% of their total graduate credits through assessment for prior learning, transfer credit, or a combination of both.
  3. Flexible and Inclusive: The program is designed to accommodate a wide range of prior learning experiences, ensuring that students’ unique backgrounds and skills are recognized and valued.
  4. Advisory Support: Students are encouraged to work closely with academic advisors to determine the most applicable CPL options for their educational goals. A range of options exist for supporting students in portfolio preparation, including some programs that have 0-credit courses facilitated by faculty invested in helping students.  
  5. Cost-Effective: CPL can significantly reduce the time and cost required to complete a degree, making higher education more accessible and affordable.

Indiana State University’s CPL program is a testament to its commitment to providing flexible and inclusive educational opportunities, helping students leverage their prior learning to achieve their academic and career aspirations.

Credit for Prior Learning Council

The Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) Council at Indiana State University, the group of faculty and staff responsible to create and maintain consistency, transparency, and accessibility of prior learning assessment (PLA) processes across the institution, aims to transform lives by providing accessible, equitable, and efficient opportunities for student to earn academic credit for college-level learning acquired outside the traditional classroom. 

The CPL Council at Indiana State University envisions a future where high-quality education is accessible to all. We strive to be a leader in rigorous assessment and validation of prior learning, ensuring that academic credit is awarded with integrity and excellence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Indiana State University’s CPL program recognizes that students learn a lot outside of traditional classrooms. By using the principles of experiential learning, the CPL program allows you to earn college credit for what you’ve already learned through your experiences. This means you can save time and money on your degree by not having to take classes on things you already know.

For example, if you’ve worked in a field related to your major, you can reflect on that experience, understand how it fits into your academic goals, and then apply for credit. This process values your real-world learning and helps you move forward in your education more efficiently.

Indiana State University has a long-standing commitment to community engagement and experiential learning. The CPL program connects with the broader University goals around experiential learning as well. Experiential learning is all about learning through experience in the following ways:

  1. Experience: This is where you have hands-on experience. For example, you might have worked in a job, volunteered, or served in the military.
  2. Reflection: After the experience, you think about what happened. You might consider what you learned and how you felt during the experience.
  3. Connection: Here, you start to understand the bigger picture. You connect your experience to what you know and come up with new ideas or concepts.
  4. Application Beyond: Finally, you apply what you’ve learned to new situations. This could mean using your skills in a different job or in your studies.

Any admitted student may apply for prior learning review.

Yes. Transfer credit and dual credit are earned in typical classroom settings and are applied to your degree progress at Indiana State University through a different process. 

There are many ways Indiana State University recognizes learning gained outside of the classroom. You can find more details by clicking the “Undergraduate Policies” link on the lefthand menu above.

  • Exam Scores: Students who achieve certain scores on Advanced Placement (AP) exams, College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams, Dantes Standardized Subject Tests (DSST), Cambridge Assessment International Education, and International Baccalaureate (IB) receive credit for specific courses. Official test results should be submitted to the Office of Admissions.
  • Approved Prior Learning for Certificates and Licensure: A wide variety of professional certificates and licensures count toward credit for specific courses. You can find the full listing here.
  • Military Credit for Prior Learning: Indiana State University is proud to recognize learning that is acquired through military service using the American Council on Education ACE Military Guide. Interested students should submit their Joint Services Transcript (JST) to the Office of Admissions for review.
  • Faculty Evaluation of Prior Learning: Students can work with a faculty member to demonstrate their prior learning related to a specific course through a department exam or portfolio. Faculty will evaluate the student’s work to determine if course credit is awarded. Students should talk with their Academic Advisor to discuss the process and complete the Assessment of Prior Learning Form. 

Credit for Prior Learning awarded for Exam Scores (e.g., AP, CLEP, etc.), Approved Prior Learning, and Military Credit for Prior Learning does not carry a fee charged by Indiana State University. 

Faculty Evaluation of Prior Learning through department exam or portfolio does include a fee of 25% of the tuition cost of the course for which credit may be earned.

If you have exam scores (e.g., AP, CLEP, etc.), certificates or licensures on the approved prior learning list, or a Joint Services Transcript from the military, contact the Office of Admissions to provide documentation. 

If you would like to have prior learning evaluated by faculty via department exam or portfolio, talk with your Academic Advisor and discuss with a faculty member in your academic program.